FOREST FORTRESS CAPTURED.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLI, Issue 11365, 11 October 1917, Page 5

FOREST FORTRESS CAPTURED.

PRISONERS AND GUMS CAPTURED

AN ALMOST BLOODLESS VICTORY.

(Received Wednesday. 11.25 p.m.) LOHDOH, Oct. 9.

The “Daily Chronicle’s” Paris correspondent says: General Anthoinc’s army, co-operating with the British, pushed on and occupied half the ground between the lines secured on July 31 and Houthulst Forest.

To-day’s plan was to swing the French to the right, thus scmi-circling Houthulst Forest, which had become a formidable enemy fortress during the last three years, although our guns had greatly reduced the value of this lowlying woodland and the Germans had already withdrawn their heavier guns, hitherto secreted in the forest. However even the bare stumps of the former forest trees made a dangerous nest for machine guns. The forest covers an area of throe miles by two. In overcoming this obstacle General Anthoinc’s mastery of the newest gunnery science was a great asset. The French assault troops went over the top at 5.30 a.m., the country being still buried in fog and gloom. Preceded by an effective barrage, the troops quickly cleared out the centres of German resistance cast of St. Jcanshcck and Brocnhcek within two hours. Three hundred, prisoners and a number of guns were captured on a mile front. The French luckily caught an enemy division while relieving another. The former hud just conic from the Russian front, and being new to the sector, the Germans were in no condition to meet the dashing French onslaught. By ton the French wore before thg, ruins of the village ox Mangelacre.

The -whole success won was practic ally with no loss of French lives.